Instructions to authors

The BMJ aims to help doctors everywhere practise better medicine and to influence the debate on health. To achieve these aims we publish original scientific studies, review and educational articles, and papers commenting on the clinical, scientific, social, political, and economic factors affecting health. We are delighted to receive articles for publication in all of these categories—from doctors and others. We can publish only about 12% of the articles we receive, but we aim to give quick and authoritative decisions. The editorial staff in London is always happy to advise on submissions by post or telephone. The BMJ is published weekly and has a circulation of about 111500, of which 20000 copies are distributed outside Britain. In addition, Bulgarian, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Indian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Pakistani, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, and South African editions reach another 150000 readers. Material published in the weekly journal may be reproduced in the other editions.